Solent Crossing

Lee on Solent to Cowes

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Grid Refs
Lee on Solent slip way SU 556 010
Norris Point SZ 510 965

The Route
This route at 3.5 nautical miles offers two real advantages.
Firstly, the start point at the large slipway opposite the Hovercraft Museum has lots of free parking with access at all states of the tide.
Secondly, arriving at Cowes offers several opportunities as it is half way along the Solent. The Eastern Solent can be paddled (Osborne Bay, Ryde etc), the Western Solent can be paddled (Newtown, Yarmouth, The Needles)or the River Medina can be paddled (Cowes, The Folly Pub, Newport).

Allow an hour for this crossing. You must cross the North Channel, used by smaller coasters but not frequently, a large ship anchorage and the main South Channel leading to Southampton. The two channels are quite narrow at these points, meaning they are quick to cross, but also that shipping is limited in maneuverability.

I would recommend crossing around slack water, HW Portsmouth -1 or -2 and HW +4 or +5 seem best with the lowest rates of flow. When planning, allow for the direction the tide will set when it starts again. Get your timing wrong and you can find yourself paddling across 3 knots of tide and a bumpy sea. Also remember that Cowes is an amazingly busy place, especially at the weekend.

When setting off, allow for the tide stream being stronger on the Cowes side, so make sure you get up tide early on. Watch out for the ships at anchor - they can deceive you on the tide steam direction as it takes a long time for them to turn on it.

Norris Point is a good target for the crossing. You can land here at all states of the tide for a brew, a leg stretch or to wait for the tide to set in your favour. The shipping channel passes quite close here so it is ideal if you have just had a sprint finish.

Access / Put-ins:
Lee on Solent is described above.
On the Isle of Wight, access can be had at Norris Point (East Cowes) as the road leads to the beach head. Parking is likely to be some distance away though as the sea front public parking often fills up.

Nature:
In the summer months, dolphins may be sighted, as are schooling mackerel.

History:
The slipway at Lee on Solent was part of the HMS Daedalus complex - a naval base for the Fleet Air Arm. The slip ways was originally used to launch and recover sea planes but was later involved in hovercraft development and testing. At the top of the slip way is the Hovercraft Museum, where many different sizes of hovercraft can be seen.

Waterside Pubs:
Not on this route.

Hazards:
Wind and tide can make the Solent an unforgiving place. The sheer volume of water craft doubles the danger. A good look out needs to be maintained. It is advisable to carry a GPS to assist as a mist or haze is usually present in the summer months. On the northern side of the Solent, the coast appears bland to the eye and it is difficult to identify any land marks. Cowes can usually be spotted through the haze, partly by the movement of red and white ferries and also the distinctive white building that is the home of the Royal Yacht Squadron.